Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a new statue of Benjamin Franklin in Franklin County to celebrate Constitution Day.
“I don’t know that we’ve ever had a leader in American history that had such a diversity of accomplishments and achievements as we did with Benjamin Franklin,” DeSantis said at a press conference with other state officials.
DeSantis showed off the artwork in Apalachicola as part of America’s 250th celebration. The state is planning to roll out more statues in counties with stops in Madison, Monroe and Hamilton counties.
“I’m grateful for the leadership of the Governor for his unwavering commitment to preserving American history and ensuring Florida leads the way and celebrating our nation’s founding principles,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
At his presser, DeSantis also focused his attacks on local government spending — an ongoing theme in recent weeks as DeSantis tries to make the case to voters to repeal property taxes.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia accused Orange County this week of overtaxing residents by $200 million in the past five years.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings argued the state’s numbers were “fuzzy math” although the county’s budget has gone up as it provides services to the many tourists who visit and tries to help residents dealing with homelessness and other problems. Demings lobbed allegations back at the state, saying Florida doesn’t pay law enforcement officials and prison guards enough.
DeSantis seemed to address Demings’ claims during his Wednesday remarks.
“We obviously are going to support firefighters, police, support education, support some of the infrastructure stuff. And no one’s done that more than me in Florida, but these bloated budgets for some of these folks. I mean we have County Administrators making $250,000 to $300,000 in different parts of the state of Florida.”
DeSantis also spoke off the cuff at his press conference, criticizing U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, and saying he wouldn’t have been able to help form America if he had been alive in the 1700s.
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